Wind protector for structures

ABSTRACT

A system for protecting building structures such as mobile homes, trailers, sheds, and hangars from high wind conditions comprising a rigid plate-like member externally attached in the middle and across the width of the roof of the building structure. The plate-like member is raised at the center thereby forming an arch-type structure. Four rigid tubes coming from four corners of the roof of the building structure join above the center of the plate-like member. The tubes are held together between two disks, which are tightened together by a bolt and nut assembly. A tent-like cover with a plurality of eyelets is anchored to the ground surrounding the building structure. The canopy means is independent and separate from the building structure it covers, and extends downwardly and outwardly from above the roof of the building structure at an angle in order to deflect the wind and avoid pressure build-up.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION:

This is a utility patent application which claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/656,562 filed on Feb. 25, 2005. FEDERALLYSPONSORED RESEARCH: Not Applicable SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM: NotApplicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material thatis subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objectionto the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or thepatent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office fileor records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to providing protection to structures suchas mobile homes, sheds, hangars and the like, and more particularly to adevice that protects these structures from hurricanes and gale-forcewinds.

Buildings, including residential homes, commercial and retail structuresthat typically rest on the ground by means of concrete foundations orraised foundations are often damaged by gale-force winds duringhurricanes or similar high wind conditions. In particular, the roof of astructure can be separated from the walls due to the lifting forcescreated as wind passes over the roof of the structure at very highvelocity. In areas where high winds are prevalent, the trend has been toutilize additional roof supporting mechanisms in addition to theoriginal construction of a roof.

Mobile homes and temporary buildings are especially vulnerable to highwind conditions. Numerous apparatuses exist for securing mobile ortrailer homes to the ground in the event of hurricane, flood, orgale-force winds. The majority of these devices use a combination ofanchor means, elongated strap members and tightening turnbuckles,whereby such strap members are placed over and encircle a mobile homeand are affixed to anchor means via turnbuckles to anchor the mobilehome to the ground.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,148,162, 4,070,802, 3,937,437, 3,644,192, and 3,054,151are all examples of devices, which secure a mobile home to the groundvia elongated strap members placed over, and encircling the mobile home.However, the above devices are often unsuccessful in preventing damageto mobile homes due to gale-force winds, since they completely fail toprotect these objects from other sources of damage, namely, damage dueto impact with airborne debris (i.e., uprooted trees, bricks, etc.),which may impact structures at high velocity during a hurricane.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,852 to Gower discloses a device for protection ofproperty against high winds. The device comprises a flexible material ofpredetermined strength and stretch characteristics, and in the form of apanel or several panels, utilized to protect the side of a structureincluding its windows and doors from the strong winds and debris impactsoccurring during a hurricane. The device is anchored in a manner tospace it out from the area being protected, and can safely dissipatesubstantial impacting energy. However, the panel structure of thisdevice is different from the anchoring and covering means employed forthe building structure in the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,975 to Wiegel discloses a system of mobile home (orother structure) wind protection, which includes a channel below groundlevel around the structure. Tie-down anchor bolts are spaced along thechannel around the structure. Tie-down cables extend from the roof ofthe structure into the channel, each cable being connected to one of theanchor bolts. A storm shield secured to the tie-down cables likewiseextends from the roof of the structure and into the channel below groundlevel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,794 to Sporta discloses a method and apparatus forshielding, anchoring and containing an object such as a trailer or motorhome in gale-force winds. A wind-permeable perforate sheet extendsdownwardly and outwardly from the top of the object or the roof of ahome at an acute angle so as to surround a substantial portion of eachof the sides with an inclined wind-permeable planar surface. The sheetis anchored to helical ground anchors via mechanical attachments, whichmay also be used to tighten the sheet over the object or home. Althoughthe Wiegel and Sporta applications protect mobile homes or similarstructures from high wind conditions, the present invention usesimproved structural elements, all of which facilitate in achieving anangle for a tent-like cover or canopy to deflect the wind. Moreover, thetent-like cover of the present invention is completely independent ofthe building structure anchoring means.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an improvedsystem for protecting mobile homes, sheds, hangars and the like fromhigh wind conditions.

A further object is to provide an improved system that includes atent-like cover or canopy, which is completely independent of thestructure it protects.

A further object is to provide an improved system that efficientlydeflects the wind by maintaining an angle for the tent-like cover.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedsystem that also provides anchoring means for the building structuressuch as mobile homes, trailers, sheds, hangars and the like to preventthem from being uplifted during high wind conditions. These and otherobjects of the present invention will become better understood withreference to the appended Summary, Description, and Claims.

SUMMARY

The present invention generally relates to a system for protectingstructures such as mobile homes, sheds, or hangars from hurricanes,gale-force winds, or similar high force winds. This is accomplished byanchoring such structures to the ground with a special aluminum band,ropes and stakes. Structures are protected from high wind conditions bya special tent-like cover or canopy that is held to the ground by ropesand stakes. The tent-like cover is separate and independent from thestructure being protected. The tent like cover is stretched at an angleof approximately 45 degrees or less to deflect the wind, therebyavoiding pressure build-up.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the anchoring means of a mobile home inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the structurally reinforced corner of themobile home.

FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the disks that are used to hold aluminumtubing coming from the structurally reinforced corners.

FIG. 5 is an overview of the tent-like structure or canopy in accordancewith the present invention with a mobile home in place.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 6.

FIGURES—REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   11 . . . Aluminum Band-   12 . . . Mobile Home-   13 . . . Aluminum Tube-   14 . . . Rope-   15 . . . Stake-   16A . . . Upper Disk-   16B . . . Lower Disk-   17 . . . Bolt-   18 . . . Washer-   19 . . . Nut-   20 . . . Tent-like Cover or Canopy-   21 . . . Nylon Webbing Reinforcement-   22 . . . Eyelet-   23 . . . Opening or Cut-   24 . . . Structurally Reinforced Corner-   25 . . . Groove

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of a system forprotecting residential, commercial and temporary structures from highwind conditions is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6. The system isespecially used to protect trailers, mobile homes, sheds, and hangars.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an aluminum band or plate-like member 11 isattached across the width of a structure such as a mobile home 12. Thealuminum band is placed in the middle of the structure and raised at thecenter of the mobile home 12 by approximately six to eight inches. Thealuminum band 11 is rigid and forms an arch-type structure above themobile home. The corners 24 of the mobile home 12 are reinforced forgreater stability and protection, and help in avoiding tears. The mobilehome is anchored to the ground by ropes 14 made of nylon or similarmaterial and stakes 15.

Four aluminum tubes 13 coming from the four corners 24 of the mobilehome 12 join above the center of the aluminum band 11, as shown in FIGS.1 and 3. These tubing are not restricted to be made of rigid metal likealuminum alone and can also be made of heavy polyvinylchloride (PVC).Two disks 16, which are positioned above the aluminum band 11, hold thetubes 13 together.

Referring to FIG. 4, an upper disk 16A and a lower disk 16B are heldtogether by means of bolts 17, washers 18, and a nut 19. The upper andlower disks 16A and 16B include a hole at their centers for the bolt 17to pass through. The disks 16 are approximately six inches in diameterand are used to admit the four aluminum tubes 13 coming from the fourstructural corners 24. The flat surfaces of the disks include fourradially spaced grooves 25, which facilitate in positioning the fouraluminum tubes 13. The bolt 17 and nut 19 assembly holds together aframe of four aluminum tubes 13 coming together at the disks 16 in thecenter of the mobile home 12.

An overview of the system of the present invention with the tent-likecover or canopy 20 is shown in FIG. 5. The tent-like cover 20 ispreferably made of a PVC 3 ply with nylon webbing reinforcements 21 andis provided with eyelets 22 throughout for wind pressure stability. Thetent-like cover 20 is totally independent and separate from thestructure that it covers and is staked to the ground at reinforced sitesthrough eyelets 22 on the nylon webbing reinforcements 21. An opening ora cut 23 is provided in the tent-like cover 20 for entry or exitpurposes. The opening 23 is of a closed shoestring fashion. The tentlike cover 20 is stretched at an angle of approximately 45 degrees orless to deflect the wind away and thus avoiding pressure build-upagainst the mobile home.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the system of the present inventionwith the tent-like cover 20 protecting the mobile home 12. It should benoted that anchoring of the mobile home is independent and separate fromthe tent-like cover 20 that is to be deployed at times of high windconditions such as hurricanes or gale-force winds. The tent-like cover20 extends downwardly and outwardly from above the aluminum band 11, thealuminum tubes 13 and the disks 16.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanyingclaims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for”performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specificfunction, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause asspecified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of“step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisionsof 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, various modifications and substitutions may be madethereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has beendescribed by way of illustration and not limitation.

1. A system for protecting building structures, (particularly trailers,mobile homes, sheds, and hangars,) from high wind conditions, the systemcomprising; a rigid plate-like member externally attached in the middleand across the width of roof of the building structure, the plate-likemember being raised at the center of the roof thereby forming anarch-type structure above the building structure; four rigid tube-likemembers with first and second ends, the first ends of the four tube-likemembers are attached to four corners, respectively, of the roof of thebuilding structure; a disk-assembly comprising an upper disk, a lowerdisk, and a fastening means, the disk assembly is positioned above thecenter of the roof and the plate-like member, the second ends of thetube-like members are received between the upper and lower disks, andthe fastening means is used to securely hold the tube-like membersbetween the upper and lower disks; a canopy means with a plurality ofeyelets, the canopy means is adapted to fully cover the buildingstructure, the canopy means is anchored to the ground surrounding thebuilding structure such that the canopy means extends downwardly andoutwardly from above the plate-like member, the rigid tube-like members,the disk-assembly, and the roof of the building structure at an angle inorder to deflect the wind and avoid pressure build-up.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, the building structure is also anchored to the ground using aplurality of ropes and stakes.
 3. The system of claim 1, the canopymeans is made of PVC 3 ply with nylon webbing re-enforcements.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the periphery of the canopy means is stakedto the ground through the eyelets located on the nylon webbingre-enforcements.
 5. The system of claim 1, the canopy means furtherincludes a cut or an opening that is suitably dimensioned and positionedfor entry/exit purposes after the canopy means covers the buildingstructure.
 6. The system of claim 1, the plate-like member is made ofaluminum.
 7. The system of claim 1, the tube-like members are made ofaluminum or heavy polyvinyl chloride.
 8. The system of claim 1, a boltand nut assembly is used as the fastening means to securely hold thetube-like members between the upper and lower disks, the upper and lowerdisks include a hole in the center through which the bolt is made topass through.
 9. The system of claim 1, the upper and lower disksinclude four radially spaced grooves on their flat surfaces, theradially spaced grooves facilitate in positioning the four tube-likemembers.
 10. The system of claim 1, the four corners on top of thebuilding structure are structurally reinforced for greater stability,and to aid in avoiding tears in the fabric.
 11. A method of protecting astructure from high wind conditions comprising the steps of; (a)providing a rigid plate-like member with its distal ends attached acrossthe width of the roof of the building structure, the plate-like memberbeing raised at the center of the roof thereby forming an arch-typestructure above the building structure; (b) reinforcing the corners onthe roof of the building structure; (c) anchoring the building structureto the surrounding ground using ropes connected to the reinforcedcorners and the distal ends of the plate-like member; (d) providing acanopy means for the building structure; (e) providing an assembly ontop of the roof of the building structure so that the canopy meansextends downwardly and outwardly at an angle from above the buildingstructure and the assembly in order to deflect the wind and airbornedebris.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the assembly comprises: (a)four rigid tube-like members with first and second ends, the first endsof the four tube-like members are attached to the four structurallyreinforced corners, respectively, on the roof of the building structure;(b) a disk-assembly comprising an upper disk, a lower disk, and afastening means, the disk assembly is positioned above the center of theroof and the plate-like member, the second ends of the tube-like membersare received between the upper and lower disks, and the fastening meansis used to securely hold the tube-like members between the upper andlower disks; wherein the periphery of the canopy means is anchored tothe ground at reinforced sites surrounding the building structure suchthat the canopy means extends downwardly and outwardly at an angle fromabove the plate-like member, the rigid tube-like members, thedisk-assembly, and the roof of the building structure at an angle inorder to deflect the wind and avoid pressure build-up.
 13. A method ofprotecting a structure from high wind conditions comprising the stepsof; (a) providing a rigid plate-like member with its distal endsattached across the width of the roof of the building structure, theplate-like member being raised at the center of the roof thereby formingan arch-type structure above the building structure; (b) reinforcing thecorners on the roof of the building structure; (c) anchoring thebuilding structure to the surrounding ground using ropes connected tothe reinforced corners and the distal ends of the plate-like member; (d)providing a canopy means for the building structure; (e) providing anassembly on top of the roof of the building structure so that the canopymeans extends downwardly and outwardly at an angle from above thebuilding structure and the assembly in order to deflect the wind andairborne debris, the assembly comprising: (i) four rigid tube-likemembers with first and second ends, the first ends of the four tube-likemembers are attached to the four structurally reinforced corners,respectively, on the roof of the building structure; (ii) adisk-assembly comprising an upper disk, a lower disk, and a fasteningmeans, the disk assembly is positioned above the center of the roof andthe plate-like member, the second ends of the tube-like members arereceived between the upper and lower disks, and the fastening means isused to securely hold the tube-like members between the upper and lowerdisks; wherein the periphery of the canopy means is anchored to theground at reinforced sites surrounding the building structure such thatthe canopy means extends downwardly and outwardly at an angle from abovethe plate-like member, the rigid tube-like members, the disk-assembly,and the roof of the building structure at an angle in order to deflectthe wind and avoid pressure build-up.